JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd., part of the US$23 billion JSW Group, has begun construction of its next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) facility at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad.
JSW Defence has partnered with Shield AI, a leading US defence-tech company, to manufacture their Group 3 UAS, V-BAT, under a long-term Transfer of Technology (ToT) licensing arrangement. This collaboration marks one of the most significant defence technology transfers to India.
As part of the partnership, JSW Group will invest US$90 million to build a global-standard compliance program, a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit, and a skilled manpower training ecosystem. The investment will help create a strong local supply chain and position the Hyderabad facility as a global production hub for the V-BAT.
Manufacturing of V-BAT systems is expected to begin in late 2026.
The foundation ceremony was led by Mr. Parth Jindal, JSW Group, in the presence of Sri D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for IT, E&C and Industries & Commerce, Telangana, senior state officials, leaders from Shield AI, and members of the Indian Armed Forces.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Parth Jindal said:
“Today marks a new chapter in India’s journey toward self-reliance in next-gen defence technology. Our partnership with Shield AI reflects our shared ambition to bring world-class unmanned systems to India. The V-BAT facility will create an end-to-end UAS ecosystem—from manufacturing to training, MRO, and innovation. This is among the most significant defence tech transfers to India and strengthens our national strategic capability.”
Mr. Sarjan Shah, Managing Director, Shield AI India, added:
“We are proud to partner with JSW to build an indigenous production ecosystem for the V-BAT. This facility advances our joint vision to deepen India–US defence collaboration based on trust and shared priorities. JSW’s scale and commitment make them an ideal partner as we expand V-BAT’s global footprint.”
About the V-BAT UAS
The V-BAT is a fixed-wing, VTOL, long-endurance ISR platform deployed by multiple global armed forces, including US Marine Expeditionary Units. Its patented ducted design, compact logistics footprint, and rapid deployment capability make it a game-changer for modern warfare and complex tactical missions.
A Boost for Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The project will strengthen Telangana’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, create high-quality jobs, and advance India’s strategic capabilities in unmanned aerial systems.
